Another week down, and four more to go. I have just gotten back from the College of Business Awards Ceremony. This is where leading students in the College of Business are recognized for their outstanding work. I was honored to receive the Alumni and Friends Scholarship. But I got to see a lot of my friends who I share classes with as well as my teachers.

Yesterday, my boyfriend and I attended the Study Abroad Orientation from 9 am to 3 pm. It was somewhat informative, but I am very prepared by my own research on the country I will be studying in the Fall and Spring semester of next year. I have been emailing and talking with students who have just gotten back, and also Dr. Jarrell, my new advisor, has introduced me to a student from my study abroad country. All of the students I have talked with have been extremely friendly and helpful. I want to know as much as possible before I go, since I will be there for a year!!! The most interesting part of the orientation yesterday was the panel of students who are exchange students or who have studied abroad. They had some funny things to say!

My week started out pretty rough, but gradually calmed down towards the end. First, on Monday, was Mark’s SPAN322 test. I was once again one of the last people still taking the test, but I believe I did good. Then, on Tuesday, I turned in my paper for Norris’s SPAN431 class. I still don’t know how I did, but this semester isn’t crazy just for the students, the teachers are swamped as well. I believe I will get it back on Tuesday, so I hope I did well!! I have a presentation due next Tuesday for her class, and I want to see if I need much more improvement. Also, on Tuesday, I got the wonderful news that I have passed my security clearance, so I am going to DC for sure!! So now I need to start working on my housing contracts and plane tickets and so on. Wednesday, I had a quiz for Hermana O’Connor in SPAN302 on the “If” Clauses. I did pretty good, but I know the one thing I missed: Conditional!!! I have been working extremely hard on my website for CIS304, which is so addictive! I spent 6 hours on Wednesday adding links and designing my other web pages. But at least the work is fun to do, I am really enjoying it.

On Friday, I had my Forecasting Test in Quant (MGT305), and I feel really good about it. But you never know until you get it back! Then, Hermana showed the movie, “El Romero,” which is extremely good and emotional! I was in tears after a priest got killed!! The movie (to my knowledge) is about the people in El Salvador, the corruption of the government and what position the Catholic Church is put in. I wanted to keep watching it, but we didn’t have time so I still don’t know what happens in the end.

The semester has been flying by, thank goodness! I am so excited about this summer’s internship, and my 2006-2007 year abroad! But I am first concentrating on my Spring grades. I am trying to keep my 4.0 GPA. It is hard because I am taking 7 classes and auditing my 8th. Being involved in 24 credit hours this semester has been intense, but I am hanging in there. My teachers have been very supportive and I owe a lot of my success in academics to their teaching strategies, both last semester and this semester. Achieving in my classes have a lot to do with how the teachers teach.

So that was my week here in Cullowhee. The weather is just beautiful. I am relieved, too, because I think it helps my mood and my grades!

Hey T.M.,
I have been enjoying reading your blogs about your life at Western. See I have just been accepted to Western and I was planning on making Spanish my minor. I think I will be majoring in Criminal Justice or Communication Sciences I’m not sure yet. But I have a question about the spanish courses at Western, how are the profesors are they really helpful? And are the courses really deep into the Spanish culture and all its diversity? Like does the professors try their best to expose you to the Spanish culture and language?
Thank you

First of all, congrats on being accepted!!  I’m sure you are glad you don’t have to worry about that part of the process anymore.

Second, I know chosing a major/minor is difficult as well as it is important!  What I would suggest is that you meet with the department heads for Criminal Justice and the Communication Science department.  That was the first thing I did.  Mine, Dr. Kinard, was very helpful and informative.  He is someone I can always go to for any question.  Just explain that you are trying to decide, and they will be glad to offer their help and advice. 

And as for the Spanish minoring…
I decided to minor because I only needed 2 business classes this semester before I go abroad.  In order for me to keep my financial aid, I have to be enrolled full-time (12 hours).  I spoke with the department head, Dr. Mark Couture, about my situation, and my interest in minoring.  He explained that finishing my Spanish minor in one semester would be possible for me.  I would just have to take 5 classes (SPAN302,310,322,393,and 431).  He didn’t really think I would do it because I would already be enrolled in my two business classes and I am auditing another class, but I decided that having that extra trait on my resume would be a wonderful advantage and opportunity for me.  So I am taking 8 classes (24 hours) this semester, because I wanted to finish my minor.

This being said, I am a bit overwhelmed with all the classes and do not have the opportunity to really enjoy them.  I love all of (mostly) my Spanish classes.  I have learned so much, but there is so much more for me to learn, it is endless!

Yes, in my classes, we learn a lot about the different cultures.  I am taking two literature classes, and we have talked so much about the background of the writings and the authors and the ages of the materials.  I am also taking a course on Latin America, which is basically all about their culture, beliefs, history, families, etc.  But there are many more classes to choose from.  These are only the classes offered this semester.  I would advise that you plan ahead, and know which classes you want to take and when they are offered.  Because they are not always offered every semester/year!!

If I haven’t answered your question, let me know, and if you have any other questions, feel free to ask!

Good Luck with your academic career at Western!

~T.M.